Extremas with Clayton or Gamut

Well, I was going to chime in, but togs may be in hybernation for the winter. I think the Gamut amps are one of the best kept secrets in the US. In europe, its a different story. The D200MrkII which I personally own is one of the most neutral, resolving pieces I have ever heard. Period. It has a unique signature in that, depending on the type of speakers you use, it will mold itself to their performance characteristics. Sounds weird I know. For example, some say that the Gamuts lack bass weight. When connected to my JBL 4312C's...they do. But, they dont. Those speakers are designed with an almost perfectly flat frequency response. Almost. You would not expect much bass from those 12 inch minimum excursion woofers. BUT, when hooked up to my VTL 150's, its a completely different story. Now, on the other hand, when the D200II is connected to my Theil 2.4's, the bass extension goes beyond what the VTL's can do. I can assure you it has nothing to do with tube vs SS amplification personas. The Gamut has a peculiar way of integrating with different speakers. Maybe its the single huge Mosfet design? Though I can't wrap my brain around that. The claytons are wonders in their own right. Very similar indeed as Audiobrian mentions. Honestly, I would go for the Gamut, and thats only because I have a bias. You really cant go wrong either way.

I agree with the above comments that the Gamut amps are excellent.

My experience was after trying several SS amps (McIntosh, Bryston 2 channel, Boulder), I was still searching for an amp to bring my Eggleston Andra 3’s to life. I was having trouble getting them to deliver the deep dynamic bass I knew they were capable of creating.

I had read several positive comments about the Gamut amps but did not have any experience. My choice was between the Bryston monoblocks (28BSST) or the Gamut monoblocks (M250i). In the end, I decided to try the Gamut M250i’s which have a lower power rating than the Bryston’s but the dealer assured me that low end authority would not be a problem.

As many audiophiles know, unfortunately lots of products fail to live up to our expectations however this was one situation where the opposite was true.

From the minute I turned the amps on they immediately took control of the woofers and created the exact power, resolution and transparency I was looking for in my system. The bass impact was immediate and visceral (which I really enjoy). The bigger surprise for me was the ability of the amps to resolve the low level midrange and upper midrange detail while still sounding very natural.

While I have switched out my fair share of components over the last few years, I know that these amps will stay in my system for a long time as they are the best I have ever used

What do you folks think of the Claytons in general?I may be considering the M-300's driving Revel Salon Ultima II's down the road.

Thanks

SirSpeedy:

The M-300's are fabulous and I am driving the Revel Ultima Salon II as well. With a VAC preamp I couldn't ask for more!.
It's unfortunate that Clayton and Wilson Shen are not more well known as his class A monoblocks may be the most natural sounding solid state amplifiers available, with authority and extension.

The Gamuts are also wonderful, but I might give a slight edge to the M-300's.

Audiobrian,thanks for the info-:)

Funny thing is....I too would seriously consider the VAC pre/phonostage(not the highest priced one,but the "um cheap" $12,000 model...heh,heh.

I was able to compare that pre/phonostage to the TOP VTL units,along with the TOP Zanden Pre/phonostage,and both myself and the other folks present felt the VAC was better than the VTL,and equal to the mega buck Zanden(except when the Zanden was in equalized mode,for Decca pressings).

A great mating,I'd hope.....but...

I am very concerned about te "heat issue" from 300 wpc of class "A".I've gotten superb results in the past with a modded Rowland two chassis 8T class A/B amp,that ran ice cold,but sounded fabulous.

I don't want to have to sit in a Speedo,to hear music-:)

sincerely,
Mark